The Coalition was informed that the City of Phoenix really wants the Bethany Road overpass on I-17 rebuilt correctly with bicycle lanes.

SRP has asked the Coalition to be involved in the design considerations for the bike paths in the new Rio Salado Park in Tempe. The city contacted the Coalition on this.

The City of Chandler has agreed to bike lane Chandler Blvd to I-10! This is incredible, considering that they were refusing to do so at the last public meeting. We have Tom Culp ( a Coalition member), the Coalition, and the bicyclists who turned out in force at the meeting to thank for this change of heart. See what a little activism can do! When we make our voices heard collectively, it does make a difference.

The Coalition has begun planning a workshop meeting which we hope the representatives of statewide bicycle clubs and city bicycle coordinators will make plans to attend. You will be contacted regarding this. The date will be January 23rd, 1999. Please make plans to attend. More on this as location and time are set.

Coalition meetings are held the 3rd Monday of every month at 7PM at the Los Olivos Senior Center, one block north of Indian School on 28th Street. We would ask that each local club send a representative to these meetings.

Coalition questions or comments can be e-mailed to the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists.

This month, the Coalition was able to arrange a meeting with key people in ADOT. This is in itself a milestone in that they consider the Coalition a group worthy of their attention. In this meeting, we were able to get ADOT to agree to putting a bicycling "facade" on the I-17 overpasses, until the City of Phoenix stripes feeding arterials to the bridges. They are also going to put MUTCD (Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices) bicycle cautionary signs before the overpasses. Further, because of the Coalition's input, they are going to put a "check box" on their street plans, along with their other check boxes, which causes the engineers to consider whether they have taken bicycle facilities into their consideration in the design of the road.

The City of Phoenix is still moving towards finalizing their new bicycle policy. Once this is adopted, ADOT must consider this policy in their road expansions.

ADOT is testing new alternatives to the familiar rumble strip. They are doing this because the Coalition has worked hard to make them aware that the present type is not conducive to bicycling on the shoulder.

You may be aware that the Federal Government has renewed the ISTEA program. This means millions of dollars are available to the States to build walking and bicycling facilities. One of the priorities of the Coalition will be to see that Arizona uses this money which has been made available.

The Coalition meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Los Olivos Senior Center, located just North of Indian School on 28th St. We are requesting that each chapter of GABA and other clubs please send at least one representative to the meetings.

Individual annual membership is $25.

Consider joining this vital organization, working to improve bicycling in Arizona!

July's Coalition meeting was well attended. ABC, Bullshifters and GPMBC had representatives present. We'd sure like to see reps from GABA Westside, Kokopedallis, and the White Mtn. Racing Club! Send one representative if you can. You don't have to be a member to come to the monthly meetings. These are held the third Monday of every month at the Los Olivos Senior Center, one block north of Indian School on 28th St.

The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Director has sent a letter to Ms. Mary Peters, the director of ADOT, requesting ADOT "incorporate design changes into current and future freeway improvement plans to accomodate bikeway facilities onto the frontage roads and structures." Reading between the lines, this means that the City is well aware that ADOT has ignored bicycles in the past, and they want it to change.

The Governor's Arizona Bicycle Task Force has requested that ADOT produce an official Bicycle Policy which will address their approach to road design as inter-modal ie., not just for motorized vehicles. We anxiously await this policy, but don't expect ADOT to move fast! (read, many months). This written request from the Governor's Task Force is more force being applied to ADOT to take a stand and make a move for bicyclists.

ADOT is going to have to make a move soon. The Coalition is involved in keeping the pressure on, and you can be involved with the Coalition.

Phoenix Metro GABA (now Phoenix Metro Bicycle Assoc.) ISSUES THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGE TO OTHER AZ CLUBS:

THEY HAVE VOTED TO DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF THEIR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE TO THE COALITION, AND CHALLENGE ALL OTHER CLUBS TO EITHER JOIN, OR DOUBLE UP!!

Please bring this challenge to your club meetings.

Mail to:
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
1810 E. Oregon St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016